Fifteen alleged members of a Trenton-based street gang have been indicted on charges including racketeering, murder, attempted murder, assaults, robberies, and carjackings in Trenton and nearby towns. The announcement was made by Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ).
The indictment names Justice Chambers, 25, of Trenton as the alleged leader. Chambers faces charges including one count of murder, four counts of attempted murder, weapons offenses, conspiracy, and leading organized crime. All adult defendants have been arrested; 13 remain detained awaiting trial.
“The violence allegedly carried out by this gang strikes at the heart of our communities,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Every family deserves to feel safe on their block and in their home. We will continue working with our law enforcement and community partners to dismantle organizations that threaten that sense of security.”
“This takedown reflects months of coordinated investigative work with our law enforcement partners,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “We will continue to investigate and prosecute organizations that endanger our communities.”
Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey added: “I want to thank the Attorney General for focusing the resources and tools needed to dismantle a criminal network of this magnitude and keep our neighborhoods safe. I would also like to commend all of the attorneys and investigators for their outstanding work bringing this case together. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to stop these violent street gangs from endangering our communities.”
Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson commented: “This investigation was significant in that this gang and its leaders were allegedly involved in numerous acts of violence including murders and attempted murders in Trenton and surrounding municipalities. It would not have been possible to take down this network without the joint operation between local, county, and state authorities. I commend all personnel involved for a job well done. I am thankful that we all are dedicated to making the communities safer. Our commitment to public safety will never end.”
Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police stated: “This indictment of 15 members of a violent Trenton street gang marks a significant step toward making our communities safer. These individuals are accused of spreading fear through acts of murder, shootings, assaults, robberies, and carjackings that have no place in our neighborhoods. We are sending a clear message: we will not tolerate violence, and we will hold anyone who endangers our residents accountable. This case is the result of strong collaboration among local, county, and state law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to dismantle this alleged criminal network. Our commitment remains unwavering — we will continue working together to protect our communities and ensure that public safety always comes first.”
Court documents show that from February 2023 through June 2025 the OutSouf street gang operated mainly out of South Trenton under Chambers’ leadership. Members included high-ranking figures such as Jhosse Tolentino (now deceased), mid-level member Semaj Parker, firearms keeper Jihad Jackson, lower-level shooters Zai’yae Rowell along with several juveniles and associates Kymir Lewis-West, Yasin Brantley, Kaheem Godbolt, Stanley Davis, and Neylis Vargas.
Following Tolentino’s death on April 9, 2023, OutSouf reportedly committed several violent acts—referred to as “drills”—to avenge him or assert control over rival gangs in South Trenton as well as Hamilton and Ewing townships.
These drills included two homicides—on August 19 (“T.F.”) and September 16 (“B.L.”) in 2023—carried out by lower-level members seeking status within the gang structure. Law enforcement identified patterns involving obtaining firearms; using stolen vehicles or swapped license plates; conducting shootings against rivals; then taking credit via social media or rap videos.
It is further alleged that OutSouf circulated firearms among members for these activities from April 2023 through June 2025; two guns were seized from Jackson during arrests on October 6, 2023 and January 18, 2024.
Stolen cars played a role in these crimes: Parker discussed stealing a vehicle on August 15 before a Ford Escape was used days later in one homicide; another incident involved four members stealing a Honda CRV alongside three firearms recovered after arrest.
Deputy Attorneys General Elizabeth Newton and Jaclyn Dowd along with Special Deputy Attorney General Kyle Petit are prosecuting under DCJ supervision while Mercer County Assistant Prosecutors Daniel Matos, Scott Gershman & Laura Sunyak assisted alongside detectives from multiple agencies.
Potential sentences include up to life imprisonment for first-degree murder (minimum parole eligibility after thirty years) with fines up to $200k; racketeering carries ten-to-twenty-year terms plus fines up to $500k; other degrees carry lesser but substantial penalties.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s office has statewide authority over legal enforcement matters according to its official website, providing oversight across counties including legal representation for state agencies as well as consumer protection initiatives statewide.https://www.njoag.gov/ The agency’s mandate includes protecting residents’ lives and property while delivering services such as victim advocacy.https://www.njoag.gov/